What happened in the 2008 listeriosis outbreak?
The 2008 Canadian listeriosis outbreak was a widespread outbreak of listeriosis in Canada linked to cold cuts from a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto, Ontario. There were 57 total confirmed cases, resulting in 22 deaths….2008 Canada listeriosis outbreak.
| 2008 Canadian listeriosis outbreak | |
|---|---|
| Date | August 2008 to December 2008 |
| Deaths | 22 |
| Injured | 35 |
What caused the 2008 listeriosis outbreak in Canada?
The source of the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria that caused the outbreak were from two Maple Leaf Foods’ production lines at the Bartor Road packaging plant in Toronto, Ontario. The affected products were ready-to-eat sliced cold cuts packaged under the Sure Slice brand and these products were shipped across Canada.
What caused the Listeria outbreak?
Listeriosis is caused by Listeria, a type of bacteria that is commonly found in water, soil, and feces. Humans are infected when they consume foods that harbor the bacteria. The most common foods to cause listeriosis outbreaks are deli meats and unpasteurized dairy products.
How many people died of listeriosis in South Africa?
The listeriosis outbreak began at the start of 2017 and was declared over in September 2018 with 1,065 confirmed cases and 218 deaths. It was traced in March 2018 to a ready-to-eat processed meat product called polony made at a plant in Polokwane run by Enterprise Foods, which is owned by Tiger Brands.
Why did the Maple Leaf Foods listeria outbreak happen?
Maple Leaf Foods CEO Michael McCain says two slicing machines at the company’s Toronto plant are believed to be the most likely source of listeriosis that led to the deadly outbreak.
How does Listeria infect the body?
What is listeriosis? Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. People become infected by eating foods contaminated with the bacteria. Listeria may infect many different sites in the body, such as the brain, spinal cord membranes, or the bloodstream.
How did listeriosis start in South Africa?
Contaminated polony that was produced at a single facility was the cause of a large national outbreak of listeriosis predominantly associated with an L. monocytogenes ST6 strain in South Africa.
How did listeriosis spread in South Africa?
Listeriosis is usually spread through the ingestion of contaminated food products most frequently with raw or unpasteurised milk and soft cheeses, but also vegetables, processed foods, ready-to-eat meats and smoked fish products.
How did Mr McCain manage this crisis?
Over the course of the crisis, McCain undertook a series of press conferences and became the public face of Maple Leaf Foods. The organisation’s apology was publicly available from its website as well as footage of each media conference.